Here at Speed Beez, we can help you find that perfect revolver holster for competition shooting. (We can also get you the perfect holster for casual shooting, but today we’re going to talk about matching a competition revolver.) Not only that, but we’ll help you reload faster with our speed loader and moon clips, not to mention pouches and racks to hold them both. And what holds those pouches and racks? Our BladeTech USPSA-approved shooter’s belts.
But before you grab a S&W or Ruger holster, it’s important that you find the right revolver for you. Some of you reading this blog might have found your perfect revolver years ago, but others might be investigating their first firearm for competition shooting. After all, if you want to get as good as possible, you can’t let anything stand in your way. And since there are dozens of different types of competition revolvers out there in a variety of calibers, we thought we’d go over some of the most important aspects to look for when shooting.
Caliber
If you’ve been shooting .22 all your life, you might not even think about moving to a different caliber. While you could certainly get used to the recoil of a larger caliber, you simply might not want to. Of course, price can also come into play, because going through a box of .22 is a lot cheaper than a box of 9mm. So for the same price you’re going to get to practice a lot more with a smaller caliber. (You’ll also get to fire off a lot more “forget about the accuracy and let’s see how fast can I reload with my speedloader” shots with something like .22.)
Still, it’s a good idea to try out some other calibers. You might be accustomed to .22, but there’s certainly the thrill of shooting something larger like a .357 Magnum. Of course, when you get into the larger calibers there’s also the consideration of…
Weight
Weight is certainly an issue when competition shooting. Once again, you can get used to it, but there are some large revolvers that are always going to provide some challenge and be unwieldy. Luckily, it’s something that every other shooter in that competition class is going to have to deal with. Still, it’s going to take time to build up your tolerance to not only drawing a heavier firearm but also keeping a bead on the target. Of course, heavier weight often means larger…
Size
Drawing a .44 Magnum with an eight-inch barrel from a revolver holster takes a lot more than drawing a .22LR Taurus GP100 3-inch. Size has a big influence on how much you have to move your arm, so moving from a smaller firearm to one with a longer barrel can take some getting used to.
Handgrip
The grip plays many important roles in your competition shooting. First of all, the grip has to feel good in the hand. There’s nothing worse than picking up a gun and having something about it feel just…off. Maybe the grip is too small, maybe too large. But you don’t want a grip that feels “just okay.” You want to find a revolver with a grip that feels just right. The term “like a glove” comes to mind.
Of course, you also want a grip that will allow you to properly handle your firearm. You certainly can’t have it slipping out of your hands like a wooden or ivory-handled revolver might. Of course, you aren’t going to find many wood grips out there anymore for the simply reason that they are more likely to slip from your hand. Some competition shooters go one step further and stipple their grips, where they take a heat gun to their polymer grip. Stippling raises the surface on the grip so that it provides even more friction between the fingers/palm and the gun itself.
Balance
There’s really only one way to get the right balance in your revolver: shoot a lot of them and find the one that feels best! While most every firearm is properly balanced, every manufacturer can feel different in the hand and it might not be balanced for you. If you grew up on S&W J-frames, something else might feel totally wrong. It’s usually just a matter of preference, so be sure to fire as many revolvers as possible before purchasing your competition gun and matching revolver holster.
Trigger
It’s important to find the firearm that has a trigger that matches your shooting style. Of course, it can’t require too many pounds to draw or it’s going to cause you to lose your bead on the target. In a single action that might not be such a big deal, but pulling the trigger 10 times in a row can lead to hand shake if the trigger draw is too tight.
Find the Right Add-ons
Once you’ve found that perfect revolver, it’s time to find the right revolver add-ons. This is where Speed Beez comes in.
First, you’ll want to find a speed holster that lets your revolver slide out as easily as possible. We carry holsters that are IPDA and / or USPSA compliant. And when you’re just walking the property and don’t need the extra speed, we have holsters for your revolver that will protect your firearm against scratching branches.
Of course, revolver sites are also important so that you can get the best shots possible. We have fiber optic and rear sites that attach easily to many revolvers so that you can get the ultimate grouping on your paper targets or take a bead on the plates and gongs.
Finally, you didn’t think we were going to get through a blog without mentioning speed loaders and moon clips, did you? Speed Beez knows speed loaders better than anything else, and we design and manufacture them right here in the United States of the highest possible materials. We carry them for dozens of frames and calibers, so once you pick your competition or revolver we’re sure you can find the right speed loader for you.
Picking the proper revolver is a big deal, so be sure to take your time and don’t rush into it. Once you do find one, head back to Speed Beez and we’ll make sure to get you the best in sites, speed loaders, and revolver holsters. Good luck!